The Road to the Confederate Surrender at

Appomattox Court House, VA

Sunday, April 9, 1865

In late 1863 , after searching for over two frustrating years,

President Lincoln found the general he believed could

finally win the Civil War for the Union….

Ulysses S. Grant

As a commanding general, Grant was constantly on the attack. Knowing he had theadvantages of men, weapons,and food over the South,

Grantconstantly looked to fight

theConfederates. He knew he could wear the Southern

Army out.

Under General Grant’s leadership, the Union Army

began to wear down and dominate the Confederate

forces. They also brought the war to the population of the

South

General William Tecumseh Sherman was sent into the South with a Union Army to

engage in “total war” against the southern population.

“Total War” means to take the war to, and crush the will of, the population that supports the enemy army. “Sherman’s March” through Georgia left a path of destruction that convinced many in the

South the war was lost.

By the spring of 1865, both the Confederate Army, and population of the South,

were on the verge of collapse.

Robert E. Lee was a greatgeneral with no real army

left to lead.

In early April, General Grant and the mighty Union Army had

Lee’s battered Confederate Army surrounded near the small town

of Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

General Grant sent a message to General Lee giving the Confederate commander a choice ….

Lee could chooseto surrender and

spare what remained of his battered

army. If Lee refused,

Grantwould attack until

Lee’s army was totally

wiped out. GeneralLee had a decision

to make.